Highways are a critical part of the infrastructure in Austin, throughout Texas, and across the nation. Highways offer fast routes for daily work commutes, travel, and commercial freight carrying. Unfortunately, they are also the location of some of the deadliest car accidents. Being involved in an accident on a high-speed highway with multiple lanes of moving traffic is a terrifying and traumatic experience, sometimes ending in serious or catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in an accident on an Austin highway, it’s important to understand the consequences, the availability of Austin car accident compensation, and your rights under the comparative negligence insurance system in Texas.
Why Choose Shaw Cowart LLP for Your Highway Accident Claim?
At Shaw Cowart LLP, we understand the devastating impact highway accidents can have on your life. Whether your crash was caused by reckless driving, speeding, or unsafe road conditions, our experienced attorneys are here to protect your rights and fight for maximum compensation.
Skilled Negotiators & Fierce Litigators
Highway accidents often involve high speeds and severe injuries, making negotiations with insurance companies more challenging. Our legal team excels at securing fair settlements, and when necessary, we are prepared to take your case to court to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Investigating Complex Liability
Highway crashes can involve multiple vehicles, commercial trucks, and hazardous road conditions. We conduct thorough investigations, analyze accident reports, and gather key evidence to determine all liable parties and build a strong case on your behalf.
No Fees Unless We Win
Pursuing justice after a highway accident shouldn’t add financial stress. At Shaw Cowart LLP, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we recover compensation for you.
Get the Legal Help You Need Today
If you’ve been injured in a highway accident, don’t face the legal process alone. Contact Shaw Cowart LLP today for a consultation and let us help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
Proving Liability In Austin Highway Accident Claims
Texas is a fault-based insurance state, requiring injury victims to prove an at-fault driver’s liability so they can recover compensation for their car accident damages like property damage, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. The modified comparative negligence rule in Texas means that each party involved in an accident is assigned a percentage of fault. One driver could be 100% at fault while the other is 0%, or they could share fault. As long as an injury victim is less than 51% responsible for an accident, they may recover compensation minus their percentage of fault. For example, if an insurance company finds an injury victim 30% at fault, they can reduce a $100,000 claim to $70,000. For this reason, it’s imperative to have skilled legal counsel representing your best interests. Proving an at-fault driver’s liability requires documenting compelling evidence of the following:
- The driver owed a duty of care to the injury victim and others on the road (such as the legal duty to follow traffic laws and avoid distractions)
- They breached their duty through negligent or reckless actions
- Their breach of duty directly caused an accident and injuries
- The injury victim suffered damages from the accident
Insurance companies may protect their profits by using the comparative negligence system against an injury victim who lacks legal counsel after a highway accident in Austin.
The Dangers of Highway Accidents In Austin and Elsewhere
Car accidents are more common in intersections and busy urban areas than on major highways; however, highway accidents tend to have more serious injuries and higher fatality numbers. This is due to the higher speed of traffic allowed on major highways. The higher the speed, the longer the stopping time and the slower the reaction time when a problem occurs. In addition, higher-speed accidents have more serious injuries due to increased crash force. According to crash force calculations, a 140-pound person in a car accident at 35 miles per hour becomes a 3,900-pound force. That same person in an accident at 65 miles per hour on a major highway becomes a 9,100-pound force. Even with the protection of a seatbelt and airbags, the more substantial crash force causes devastating trauma to the body as the seatbelt snaps the motorist back against the seat—often at the same time that the structure of the vehicle collapses inward.
Injuries in Highway Accidents In Austin
A car accident on a major highway in Austin or elsewhere has grave consequences for those involved. Common injuries in Austin highway accidents include the following:
- Fractures
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal organ injuries
- Burns
- Lacerations, contusions, and abrasions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries to shoulders, knees, ankles, and wrists
- Facial trauma
Sadly, a significant number of highway accidents in Austin end in fatalities. If a loved one suffered fatal injuries in a highway accident caused by another driver’s negligence, their family could recover compensation through a wrongful death claim.
Common Causes of Highway Accidents in Austin
An Austin personal injury victim seeking compensation for damages like medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering must file a claim against the driver who caused the accident. Most highway accidents in Austin result from driver negligence. Common causes of car accidents on highways include the following:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Aggressive driving
- Tailgating
- Improper merging
- Impaired driving
How Can a Highway Accident Attorney In Austin Help?
No one should have to navigate the legalities of a complex Texas car accident claim while also dealing with serious injuries, the trauma of an accident, and sometimes the tragic death of a loved one. Instead, call the experienced Austin highway accident lawyers at Shaw Cowart LLP to maximize your chances of obtaining fair compensation so you can focus on healing and moving forward.